Histon and Impington Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Histon and Impington's February 2024 crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 residents stands 33.8% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest rates in the country for this built-up area within South Cambridgeshire. The most significant outlier in the data is bicycle theft, which occurred at a rate of 0.4 per 1,000—567% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends may partly reflect the area's proximity to Cambridge University, where student populations are known to drive demand for bicycles. Despite this spike, the overall crime profile remains skewed toward property-related incidents: 46% of reported crimes were property crimes (17 total), while 24% were violent crimes (9 total). Violence and sexual offences, though the most common single category, occurred at a rate of 1.1 per 1,000—56% below the UK average. This contrast with the bicycle theft anomaly suggests a combination of factors, including the area's relatively low population density (7,880 residents) and the seasonal context of February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull. The absence of major retail hubs or nightlife districts may also contribute to the area's lower rates of public order and vehicle crime compared to urban counterparts. However, the sharp increase in bicycle theft highlights a vulnerability linked to the student demographic, exacerbated by unsecured parking facilities or increased bike-sharing usage. These patterns align with broader regional trends in Cambridgeshire, where university towns often see distinct crime profiles compared to other parts of the UK.

February 2024 saw a dramatic 200% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 1 to 3 incidents—a rate of 0.4 per 1,000 residents, 567% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This sharp rise, coupled with a 100% increase in both burglary (from 1 to 2) and other theft (from 1 to 2), indicates a potential shift in criminal focus toward property crimes. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 50%, dropping from 18 to 9 incidents, a rate of 1.1 per 1,000—56% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This decline may reflect seasonal factors, as February's cold weather and reduced outdoor activity could limit opportunities for such crimes. Anti-social behaviour remained a persistent issue, accounting for 18.9% of all crimes (7 total).9 per 1,000 is 14% below the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000. The data also reveals a 14% increase in vehicle crime compared to the UK average, suggesting that parking areas in the area may be under greater scrutiny or more accessible to offenders. For residents, the most immediately actionable insight is the spike in bicycle theft: securing bikes with locks and using campus storage facilities may be prudent, given the area's student population and the anomaly in this category compared to national trends.

February 2024's crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 marks a 5.9% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.4 per 1,000, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average. Over the 29 days of February, the area recorded an average of 1.3 crimes per day—a local figure that, when scaled to the population of 7,880, translates to 1 crime for every 213 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure ratio is lower than the UK average, which would see roughly 1 crime per 140 residents in a similar-sized area. The population-scaled perspective underscores Histon and Impington's relative safety: even with the 200% increase in bicycle theft, the area's overall crime rate remains 33.8% below the UK norm. The previous month's rate of 4.4 per 1,000 provides context for the 5.9% rise, which may be attributed to seasonal factors or localized events. However, the area's consistent performance below the UK average—despite the anomaly in bicycle theft—suggests structural differences in crime prevention, possibly linked to the community's characteristics, such as its status as a built-up area within South Cambridgeshire rather than a major urban centre. For residents, the daily crime count of 1.3 per day is a tangible metric that, while low, highlights the importance of vigilance in specific areas, such as bicycle parking, where the rate of theft is high compared to the national average.